One of the most unusual geological features, recognizable from a dozen hit movies.

California's own medieval Italian castle, authentic down to the 300-year-old iron maiden in the dungeon.

This unique graffiti art from the 1940s has become a staple of this local landscape in the remote California desert.

One incredible room in the Santa Barbara Courthouse is covered in wall-to-wall canvas murals.

The smallest country in the world.

Acres of natural wonders left behind by a socialite-turned-gardener.

The now-abandoned tunnels were built for the transcontinental railroad on the route where the first wagon train entered California.

The Empire Mine is "one of the oldest, largest, deepest, longest and richest gold mines in California."

This old mining town, deep in the California desert, has a year-round population of one.

Eastern zen meets Western grit in these four little trees growing out of a rock on Lake Tahoe’s Nevada shore.

This historic estate on the east shore of Lake Tahoe was home to an eccentric millionaire (and his pet elephant, Mingo).

This magnificent, quirky home sits atop a literal gold mine in the middle of the Nevada desert.

This rare example of a "tidefall" is a spectacular drop from the cliffs down onto the beach.

This nonsensical smiling boat shuttles passengers between two places they could've easily walked between.

360-degree virtual reality chamber physically immerses scientists into their data.

This stunning sea creature-shaped home blends into the landscape like a fantasy villa.

This tiny cluster of abandoned buildings looks like the future of the ghost town - today!

A mountain range on an active U.S. Navy base hides thousands of mysterious prehistoric rock carvings.

Colorful Native American paintings are hidden within this small cavern.

Built by the inventor of the radio, this abandoned hotel has housed early radio employees, military men, and a dangerous cult.

The ruins of the castle that chemicals built.

A lawless town deep in Death Valley was famous for its riches and death rate.

One woman's Viking Castle on Lake Tahoe.

The haunting ruins of Jack London's dream house.